Assessing relapse in multiple sclerosis questionnaire: results of a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Clinical Assessment Tools
• Multiple Sclerosis Research

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) relapses significantly impact daily functioning.
• Clinicians require objective tools to assess MS relapse severity and treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Assessing Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis (ARMS) questionnaire.
• To evaluate the ARMS questionnaire's utility in assessing MS relapse symptoms, functional impact, and treatment response.

Main Methods:

• Development of a two-part questionnaire (ARMS).
• Evaluation of the ARMS questionnaire in 103 patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
• Analysis of reported relapse symptoms, functional impact, treatments, and adverse events.

Main Results:

• Common relapse symptoms include numbness/tingling, fatigue, and weakness.
• Over half of patients reported significant impact on daily activities and overall functioning.
• Corticosteroids were the primary treatment; nearly half reported symptom resolution.
• Adverse events included sleep disturbance, mood changes, and weight gain.

Conclusions:

• The ARMS questionnaire provides a brief, objective method for assessing MS relapses.
• Systematic assessment can help optimize management and outcomes for MS patients.
• Understanding treatment response and adverse events is crucial for patient care.